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Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

Oldtimer,
On your post of 1/17 you mention the grafting brush. I could see it in the picture. However...I am unfamiliar with a grafting "brush". I use a Chinese grafting tool or just a toothpick. Do you use an actual "brush"...or is that local terminology for something that, perhaps, goes by a different name here in the U.S.?
If this is an actual "brush", I'd like to hear more about it.
Thanks

Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

It's a 000 artists brush, and can be purchased at an art supply shop. The pic is of one with a darker bristle which is actually better. Just a caution when buying though there is quite a size discrepancy from one brand to another, you need the very fine ones.

As to the Chinese grafting tools I've never used one but the ones I've seen are WAY too coarse for a very young larva I don't know how anybody uses them.
Then there are stainless steel tools, not used in my country I've never seen one, but they are used by the likes of RRussell with good results so I presume they must be good. If I was still grafting I'd definately get one to try out.

Blackbrood - Nice Work! Do let's know how this goes when you try it.

My apologies about lack of measurements, I've not yet been back to where that stuff is kept but within the next few days I will & will post measurements.

A comment on the use of ply, as ply is glued, there will be chemicals in the wood. This MIGHT harm the queen but I don't know. Personally I'd try to only use normal untreated timber. I do sympathise with you trying to nail that stuff!

Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

My apologies about lack of measurements, I've not yet been back to where that stuff is kept but within the next few days I will & will post measurements.

A comment on the use of ply, as ply is glued, there will be chemicals in the wood. This MIGHT harm the queen but I don't know. Personally I'd try to only use normal untreated timber. I do sympathise with you trying to nail that stuff!

Cheers Oldtimer, the images and descriptions were just enough. fair point about the ply, I think untreated timber might be what I use next time.

Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

I have several kinds of grafting tools. I haven't tried the brush. But the Chinese grafting tool is the easiest and delivers virtually all the royal jelly. I have the automatic metal one that you would THINK works like the Chinese one, but it does not pick up the royal jelly.

Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

Thanks Oldtimer. I can see the merit in using a brush. The investment is small, so I'll plan on giving it a try this season.
This is one of the things I like so much about this hobby...so many ways to accomplish various tasks....so many things we can try. What works for one may not work for another. And...we can never know it all!

Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

Originally Posted by KevinR

So is the technique the same for using a brush? I would think that it's easier to flip the larva with the brush.

Any tips?

Yes have to be careful not to flip the larvae. I kinda used 2 techniques depending just which way the larva was lying. I'm right handed, so if the open end of the "C" was pointing away from me or to my left I would just slide the point of the brush straight under in a forwards direction and pick it up, the brush does not go under far. If the open end of the "C" was towards the brush can't do that so the brush got laid alongside the larve then rolled between the fingers to slide & roll the brush under the larva. If picking up the larva by rolling, the brush got put in the plastic cell and the brush was rolled and slid the opposite way to roll the larvae off.
Just use the very tip of the brush the larva should be pretty much just hanging off the end of it to allow easy deposit into the queen cell.

But for those starting don't get too hung up on technique, just grab a comb of some young larvae and start practising, you'll soon figure it out.

Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

Too big. Or at least bigger than we used to use.

I'd try to capture an image of ones I use but I don't think my camera is up to it. Best way get a comb with a lot of eggs, and alongside there will be some just hatched larvae. They are tiny, they are the same size as an egg but they appear smaller.

Re: Raising Queen Cells Without Grafting

Agreed.

I've taken measurements from those queen banking cages, they are made from strips of timber 1 inch wide, 1/4 inch thick, and 1 7/8 inch long. Just cut timber to those lengths, assemble as per the pic and cut the door and the mesh to fit. Leave a little bit of wiggle room on the door but not too much.